My younger son, at 15, has just passed Grade 5 with merit. I passed the same level (just) when I was 13. This means that he is, on paper and in fact clearly, a better pianist than I was at the same age. More, he is also both in theory and in practice a better pianist than I was even 2 years ago. I still edge him out (by quite a margin despite his GCSE music course) on theory and general musical knowledge, but he is catching up fast.

It is both a source of pride and at the same time rather worrying!

at least when he surpasses you, you can exchange room & board for free lessons ;-)

Well done.

Have you got the ages juxtaposed?

YOU - 13 - Grade V Merit
SON - 15 - Grade V Merit
SON - 13 - < Grade V

?

Don't worry... I am sure your son will grow to respect you for your knowledge, once he realises how much effort he has to put in to reach your level

I see what you mean, but

1) Me age 13 = grade 5 and then stopping and for the next 34 years gradually going off (except for a bit at 21 when I inherited the family piano and taught myself a grade 8 list - very badly) so me at age 15 = grade 5 minus a bit.
AND,

2) I didn't get a merit, just a pass (and only just if I remember - about 105 or something like that)

Tell me about it - my eldest daughter is 2 grades ahead of where I was at her age and has out performed me in every single exam - I never made it beyond grade 3 in my second instrument she is now grade 6 in hers at the age of 12! daughter number 2 has overtaken me on the violin long since (she's 10) and is about where I was at her age on the piano, but that is her second instrument and again has out performed me in every exam.

But yes, a huge source of pride.


Well they say if you want to be an international performer you have to start playing before your grandmother was born!

Hi Rob,

are you going to bring your son with you to Chet's this year?